Peace and Stability Dialogue Series

(Phase 1: 2019-2022)

Exploring inter-disciplinarity
and human relationships with land

Hosted by:Future Dreaming AustraliaAustralian Earth Laws AllianceSchool of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of QueenslandSchool of Political Science and International Studies, The University of Queensland

Overview

Researchers, thinkers and educators are invited to connect with our innovative Peace and Stability Dialogue Series (Dialogue Series), which will offer a long-term space for exploring knowledge systems, governance and the future of our relationship with land in Australia. The Series brings Indigenous knowledge and leadership together with non-Indigenous academic research and social change projects, to offer a unique space for dialogue in Australian society.

Our first event is being held on 21st November 2019 at the University of Queensland – please scroll down for further information.

To find out about opportunities, resources and events, please visit this webpage regularly and connect with us on Facebook and via our email list.

Why a Dialogue Series?
Background

The governance systems that support our society are in transition. Governance systems at the local, national and global level are faltering in the face of multiple challenges, including climate change, global political instability and increasing social and economic inequities. People are questioning the future of capitalism, democracy and even human life on earth.

Responding to these upheavals, social movements and innovations seeking to create new models of governance and democracy are emerging around the world. In Australia, we face severe future scenarios as climate change damages ecosystems such as the Great Barrier Reef, changes in rainfall and water resources, creates sea level rise, and affects agricultural production. However, we also have access to significant resources that strengthen our capacity to respond to these scenarios, including ancient knowledge and law, a stable political system, a stable economy and a relatively affluent and educated society.

The Dialogue Series brings Indigenous knowledge and leadership together with non-Indigenous academic research and social change projects, to engage with community members, and offer a unique space for dialogue in Australian society.

The Series will bring people together to gain understanding through connecting diverse narratives, for the future of Australian governance. Across several years and many different events, participants will be invited to explore three key questions:

How is the current dominant narrative working in our society?

How do we co-create a new narrative?

How can we build a shared story, based on diverse ethical frameworks in Australia, that can support an ecologically healthy, socially responsible and just society and promotes well-being?

The creation for a new narrative means inquiring collaboratively to facilitate cooperative action that can build cohesive, effective governance and ethics relevant to all aspects of Australian life.

Three assumptions will guide the overall series:

That we can develop coherence across politics, law, education, philosophy and ethics

We can draw on different worldviews: Aboriginal, European, Eastern and other cultural perspectives and philosophical traditions

That a relationist ethos is worth pursuing.

Our Dialogue Series is inspired by the knowledge and law of First Nations Peoples who have lived on this continent for millennia.

Events

The first event in the Peace and Stability Dialogue Series is being held on 21 November 2019, in conjunction with ‘World Philosophy Day’, at the University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus.

Please click here for all the details about this important and fascinating 1-day symposium.

Dialogue Series Organisers

Mary Graham, Adjunct Associate Professor in Political Science and International Studies, The University of Queensland, Kombumerri Person and Director, Future Dreaming

Connect with us!

Find out about what we do

The Australian Earth Laws Alliance acknowledges that the sovereignty of the First Nations People of the continent now known as Australia was never ceded by treaty nor in any other way. AELA acknowledges and respects First Nations Peoples’ laws and ecologically sustainable custodianship of Australia over tens of thousands of years through land and sea management practices that continue today.